Yum Yum Katsu 얌얌카츠

Yum Yum Katsu is a Japanese-style pork-cutlet restaurant on the first floor at 22 Cheonhoyet 14-gil in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, breading and frying each selected cut after the order. The kitchen handles thick pork rather than reheating pre-fried pieces, leaving a light crisp exterior and moisture inside. Batter does not hold excessive oil, so loose breadcrumbs and meat grain remain distinguishable in one bite. Hire katsu uses tenderloin with little fat. Even in a thick piece, its fibers separate softly and moist meat arrives before firm chewing resistance. Rosu katsu uses loin, combining a tighter grain with fat along the edge. It provides more chew and richness than tenderloin. Special tenderloin emphasizes a thick, soft center, while special loin increases the contrast between lean meat and fat. Two diners can divide hire and rosu to compare softness, grain, and richness beneath the same type of coating. A first piece with a small amount of salt keeps pork aroma and moisture in front. The dedicated sauce adds sweetness and acidity to the next piece. Leaving part of each cutlet dry prevents the crust from softening across the entire serving. Finely shredded cabbage with perilla dressing brings a cold crunch and nutty seasoning after fried pork. Rice acts as a plain starch between sauce and meat, while the side dishes add salinity or acidity to change the pace of the plate. A solo choice begins with tenderloin softness or loin grain. Salt works when the meat itself should remain central, and sauce works when a stronger sweet-savory layer is wanted. The compact room and orderly open kitchen focus attention on cutlet thickness and frying rather than a wide spread of unrelated dishes. Since cooking begins after ordering, the plate is structured around fresh breadcrumbs, thick pork, cabbage, and rice in clearly different temperatures and textures. The useful cut selection is direct: rosu or special loin for visible fat and chew, hire or special tenderloin for a milder, softer center. This distinction gives every option a concrete role without relying on labels alone.